The following parties have filed petitions to modify the
application of existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. RS&W Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-079-C]

RS&W Coal Company, Inc., 207 Creek Road, Klingerstown, Pennsylvania 17941 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1312
(Explosives and detonators in underground magazines) to its RS&W Drift
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 23-01818) located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the amount of explosives to be how much explosives
are stored in a type two magazine built in accordance with ATF
requirements in lieu of limiting the amount of explosives used
underground to not more than 48 hours; to permit the use of two (2)
magazines separated with 4 inches of hardwood; and to permit location
of storage explosives and detonators in the anthracite coal mine
gangway to be located 5 feet from the rail and offset from the rib at
least 2 feet into solid rock, to protect the magazines from the dangers
of moving vehicles and sources of electrical current. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

2. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2005-080-C]

Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, 397 South 800 West, Salina, Utah 84654
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6)
(Nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance
requirements) to its SUFCO Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-00089) located in
Sevier County, Utah; West Elk Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-03672) located in
Gunnison County, Colorado; its Skyline Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-01566)
and its Dugout Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-01890) located in Carbon
County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to operate its six-wheel Getman
Roadbuilder grader, Model RDG-1504S, Serial Number 6787 without front
brakes as originally designed. The petitioner will provide training for
grader operators to lower the moldboard to provide additional stopping
capability in emergency situations, and to recognize the appropriate
speeds to use on different roadway conditions, and to limit the maximum
speed to 10 miles per hour. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.

3. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-081-C]

Black Beauty Coal Company, 7100 Eagle Crest Blvd., Suite 100,
Evansville, Indiana 47715 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its
Air Quality 1 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 12-02010) located in Knox
County, Indiana; Francisco Mine--UG Pit (MSHA I.D. No. 12-02295)
located in Gibson County, Indiana; Gateway Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 11-
02408) located in Randolph County, Illinois; and its Riola Mine
Complex--Riola Portal (MSHA I.D. No. 11-02971) and Riola Mine Complex--
Vermilion Grove Portal (MSHA I.D. No. 11-03060) located in Vermilion
County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of compliance to use
battery-powered non-permissible hand-held computers in or inby the last
open crosscut, including in the return airways to allow supervisors and
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety
observations during work processes. The petitioner has listed specific
procedures in this petition that will be followed when its proposed
alternative method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.

4. Big Ridge, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-082-C]

Big Ridge, Inc., 420 Long Lane Road, Equality, Illinois 62934 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d)
(Permissible electric equipment) to its Willow Lake Mine (MSHA I.D. No.
11-03054) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to permit an alternative method
of compliance to use battery-powered non-permissible hand-held
computers in or inby the last open crosscut, including in the airways
to allow supervisors and selected miners to collect and record data
pertinent to safety observations during work processes. The petitioner
has listed specific procedures in this petition that will be followed
when its proposed alternative method is implemented. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

5. Dodge Hill Mining Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2005-083-C]

Dodge Hill Mining Company, LLC, P.O. Box 165, Sturgis, Kentucky
42459 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Dodge Hill Mine (MSHA
I.D. No. 15-18335) located in Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing standard to permit an
alternative method of compliance to use battery-powered non-permissible
hand-held computers in or inby the last open crosscut, including in the
airways to allow supervisors and selected miners to collect and record
data pertinent to safety observations during work processes. The
petitioner has listed specific procedures in this petition that will be
followed when its proposed alternative method is implemented. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

6. Ohio County Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-084-C]

Ohio County Coal Company, 19070 Highway 1078 South Henderson,
Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Dyson Creek Mine
(MSHA I.D. No. 15-13920) located in Webster County, Kentucky; Freedom
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17587) located in Henderson County, Kentucky; and its
Big Run Mine (I.D. No. 15-18552) located in Ohio County, Kentucky. The
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit
an alternative method of compliance to use battery-powered non-
permissible hand-held computers in or inby the last open crosscut,
including in the airways to allow supervisors and selected miners to
collect and record data pertinent to safety observations during work
processes. The petitioner has listed specific procedures in this
petition that will be followed when its proposed alternative method is
implemented. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
existing standard.

Request for Comments

Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit
comments via E-mail: zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov; Fax: (202) 693-9441; or
Regular Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100
Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before January 27,
2006. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.